Government workers protest in Spain

DOMINIQUE FAGET, AFP/Getty Images

Firefighters and other government employees take part in a demonstration against the Spanish government's latest austerity measures, in front of the Spanish Parliament (Las Cortes) in Madrid, on July 16, 2012. Several hundreds government workers, including police officers, firefighters, and healthcare workers, joined the spontaneous protest after conservative Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announced, on July 13, the latest measures to lower Spain's deficit, a 65-billion-euro (80 billion USD) austerity package involving among other things an increase in the VAT (TVA) tax and cuts in unemployment benefits.

Firefighters and other government employees take part in a demonstration against the Spanish government's latest austerity measures, in front of the Spanish Parliament (Las Cortes) in Madrid, on July 16, 2012. Several hundreds government workers, including police officers, firefighters, and healthcare workers, joined the spontaneous protest after conservative Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announced, on July 13, the latest measures to lower Spain's deficit, a 65-billion-euro (80 billion USD) austerity package involving among other things an increase in the VAT (TVA) tax and cuts in unemployment benefits. (DOMINIQUE FAGET, AFP/Getty Images)

Firefighters and other government employees take part in a demonstration against the Spanish government's latest austerity measures, in front of the Spanish Parliament (Las Cortes) in Madrid, on July 16, 2012. Several hundreds government workers, including police officers, firefighters, and healthcare workers, joined the spontaneous protest after conservative Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announced, on July 13, the latest measures to lower Spain's deficit, a 65-billion-euro (80 billion USD) austerity package involving among other things an increase in the VAT (TVA) tax and cuts in unemployment benefits.